It's the summer term - but not as we know it!



 UCCF staffworker, Esther Court describes the new norms of student life.

Exams cancelled or online.  Term 3 cancelled. Balls and end of year socials cancelled. Farewells cancelled. Graduation online.


For students this season has been one of disappointment after disappointment. Warwick students left for the Easter holidays with the expectation of returning to campus to study and carry on their social lives as normal, however that isn’t what happened.

Many are now at their family homes. Those who live overseas are still in university accommodation, but are isolated. Many are feeling lonely and overwhelmed. Yet, despite all of these disappointments, I have been wonderfully encouraged by these students.

Before I went on furlough, I got to spend time checking in with them, praying and planning about the opportunities there are to spread the gospel during this time. Students were excited that this could be a wonderful chance to use media to make God known. Many of their friends had already been asking questions about: death, plagues and how their worldview speaks into these areas.

Since those initial chats Warwick University Christian Union have got a number of things up and running. Their ‘term 3’ began last week. Whilst for first years all exams are cancelled, for other years they have been moved online. Some have felt anxious about this new type of examination and were worried about how it will ultimately affect their grades and future.  

As Warwick CU seek to both encourage Christians and share the gospel with non Christians – this is what their weekly programme looks like in a term impacted by Covid-19.

  •  Zoom prayer meetings. Praying for one another and for friends.

  • A Youtube ‘Equip”. This is led by CU committee members, each week they invite a local church leader to deliver a talk on 1 Peter. This Youtube video will be released every Wednesday morning.

  • As well as the Youtube videos, each Wednesday afternoon, the CU have a zoom meeting to discuss the 1 Peter talk. They also share the opportunities they have had to talk about the gospel with their friends or family.

  • iexplore. An outreach event to international students, also now on zoom, consists of a short talk and lots of discussion. The team have also been posting on social media – giving international students a way of getting in touch if they need food delivered, a chat or someone to pray with.

  • Small group training and small group meetings continue as usual. The training focusing on ‘how to build community’ and ‘how to invite non-Christian friends into small groups’- ready for term 1 in the autumn, when lots of new fresher’s arrive.

  • The CU have started a ‘Thoughtful Thursday’ post - this is a short apologetic video from the Gospel Coalition, and a couple of follow up articles from the ‘Bethinking’ website.

  • Before I left on furlough, I drew together leaders from all three universities I work with to plan, dream and pray about creating some evangelistic videos. The idea is for a representative from each university (Northampton, Coventry & Warwick) to be joined by a guest e.g. a relay worker or local church leader to  look at a different topic each week. This might be: dealing with disappointment; life’s change in pace; death; what do Christians have to say about suffering; mental health. An opportunity for students to share practical tips on the subject matter, as well as how their Christian worldview speaks into the topic. These are being produced as we speak!

There is lots going on and also lots to give thanks for. Please do be praying for all these activities.

Please pray particularly for those who became a Christian at last terms events week ‘Wonder’- they were just getting used to new patterns of life: such as reading the Bible or attending Church, some of this has now changed. Please pray CU members and church leaders can support them well.

Another particular concern on my heart is to pray for students need of rest. This might sound a little odd, as you may think all they do is go for coffee and watch Netflix! However since lockdown I have been chatting to lots of students who have been overworking, and who are not sleeping due to stress. The confines of lockdown have actually pushed them to work harder and therefore they neglect rest. Even things such as quiet times or tuning into church are getting pushed out. Please do pray, that students can still prioritise their time. Glorifying God through studying hard for their exams, but also taking good rest and keeping up with their church family.


 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.” Eph 1:15-16

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